Likes to Collect Stone and Photography Ashamed of His Past Life

c. Likes to Collect Stone and Photography

David likes to collect stone since he was a little boy. It was his father who teaches him about stones and he becomes fond of them, “On one such night his father handed him a smooth stone, on axe head he had found while digging a trench” p.150. Since then, he likes to collect stones and put it in his shelves p.135. Later, he also teaches Paul about stone and as a boy Paul also seems to like it p.179. He likes to look for stones and show it to David. Even when he grows up, he still remembers how David used to tell him about stones and how happy he is when he found stones. “He reached into his pocket and spread some small stones on the hood of the car. “Remember these?” he asked, as Norah picked one up, fingering the smooth white disk with a hole in the middle.”Crinoids. From sea lilies. Dad taught me about them, the day I broke my arm” p.390. Norah is aware of David’s hobby in collecting stone. Sometimes, she finds stones everywhere, in David’s pocket, scatter on the dresser, or tuck into enveloped in the desk p.171. She feels very happy when she sees David and Paul look for stones together. David has another hobby which is photography. He becomes obsessed with camera since Norah gives him one for their wedding anniversary’s present. Actually, Norah hopes that the camera can distract David because he is so busy with his job p.98. Later, she feels regret because he seems to be obsessed with it pp.170-171. David builds a dark room in their house after his photos get noticed and no one comes into the room except him p.272. He spends most of his time in that room, developing film or doing experiments with light p.272. Besides, the dark room brings different atmosphere. It is cool and quiet. That is why he feels peace there p.180.

d. Ashamed of His Past Life

David is a mysterious man. It is not only because he hides a big secret but he is also shames of his past life. David never tells Norah much about his family and he does not tell Paul either. He shames by the fact that he used to be poor. Norah understands about David’s feeling. That condition makes him hard to reveal himself p.422. David’s family has a small clapboard house on the hill. They also have chickens and cow p.322. David helps his mother by feeding the chickens and milking the cow. He also works in a store near the main street. The money which he gets is used to rent a room because his school is far from his house p.331. His family is very poor; they collect old engines, tin cans, milk bottles that are scattered across the lawns and hills p.336. When he was a boy, David used to go with his father to hunt snakes. The snakes are sold and the money is used to pay for food and June’s medication. “That was one time. There were other days when they went out to catch rattlesnakes. Dusk to dawn, they’d walked through the woods, carrying forked sticks, cloth bags over their shoulders and a metal box swinging from David’s hand” p.150. After June died, David goes to university in Pittsburgh to be a doctor and help the world as his mother’s wish. When he studied there, he used David Henry as his name but in fact, his real name is David Henry McCallister. Formerly, it is not his intention to change his name, but it started from a mistyped letter of acceptation with his name on it. Though the name is wrong, the address and Social Security Number are correct. However, David who is aware of this mistake does not try to fix it. He uses the name David Henry to register in the university. He does not tell anyone about it. He just wants to be a new person with no history and unburden with the bitter past p.330. David tries his best to have a better life and gives his family everything. He becomes a successful doctor and earns much money. He also wants Paul to be a successful man who has great income and able to support his future family. That is why, when Paul tells him that he wants to be a musician, he opposes the idea. David believes, that it is alright if Paul likes to play guitar, but not make it as his career. According to David, being a musician does not give much for living. He wants Paul to persuade other things outside music, because Paul has many talents. However, Paul insists that he will go to Julliard to study music though David disagrees p.255. Music is everything for Paul. That is why he does not want to give up on it p.280.

B. David’s Motivation in Getting rid of Phoebe